-Parishioners at Hurley’s Samaria Baptist Church in Providence Forge, VA Purchase & Bag Hygiene Items for the Initiative 

(NEW KENT, VA — 7/14/2025) —- Racetrack Chaplain Jay Hurley, who is a pastor at the Samaria Baptist Church in Providence Forge, Virginia, recently began his seventh season at Colonial Downs sharing the love of Christ by ministering to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social and educational needs of grooms, exercise riders and other horse-affiliated personnel based in the track’s backstretch area. The ten-week thoroughbred racing season kicked off July 9 and continues thru September 13.

Hurley, who hosts a Monday church service in the horsemen’s building which overlooks the track, met with his congregation prior to the meet and decided together to move forward on a project that is making a difference with workers who tend to the needs of hundreds of horses that compete in the summer months.  

Hurley’s congregation purchased enough personal items to fill 100 hygiene bags which were distributed July 11 to the hardworking grooms. Another fifty bags were prepared and delivered to shut-in residents in the nearby Charles City area as part of this outreach program. Each bag included seven or eight items like deodorant and toothpaste, and some items were gender specific. Bags were distributed during a welcome back luncheon that day hosted by the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (VAHBPA). Chaplain Jay had a table set up in the lunchroom and distributed the well-received hygiene bags — blue ones for males and pink ones for females — along with bibles that were available in both English and Spanish.

“We extend out heartfelt thanks to the Samaria Baptist Church congregation for their generous donation,” said Aidan Turnage-Barney, VAHBPA Field Director. “Their kindness and compassion meant so much to our community of grooms, hotwalkers, exercise riders and support staff. The thoughtful items church members collected will go a long way in providing comfort and meeting essential daily needs for these individuals. It is encouraging to know that organizations like Samaria Church recognize and support the vital contributions these unsung heroes make in the racing industry. Their generosity is a shining example of community and the Christian service in action”.       

Two stakes for both Virginia-bred/sired & Maryland-bred/sired horses highlight opening weekend festivities in New Kent

Dream Big Racing’s Winfinity captured the $125,000 Miss Disco Stakes for three-year-old fillies at Colonial Downs Saturday, just before a thunderstorm rolled into the New Kent track and triggered a thirty-minute delay. She finished the 7-furlong dirt stakes, which was open to both Virginia-bred/sired & Maryland-bred/sired sophomores, in 1:21.22.

The daughter of Not This Time had done well at Colonial previously. She won the Keswick Stakes for Virginia-Restricted horses last August then finished second by half a length in an allowance earlier this year at the three-day Virginia Derby meet in March. 2024 riding champ Ben Curtis was up top for trainer John Ortiz today. The winner was bred by Ann Mudge Backer/Smitten Farm.

Winfnity got away fifth in the five-horse field and by the half, moved into fourth as Conquerthosewecan set the pace. At the top of the stretch, Grayson’s Girl took over the lead while Winfinity began to threaten on the outside. Winfinity surged past the leader in deep stretch and at the wire, was 2 3/4 lengths the best. John  Middleton’s Grayson’s Girl held on for second and Original 6 Stables’ Moon Cache came on for third.   

“Winfinity loves this track,” said owner John Wade of Dream Big Racing, LLC.. “She won her first stakes last year then got injured at another track and came back here and did great. We were excited to see her today.  She did what she always does. She stays in there, then she closes and makes it exciting and makes my heart pound a little extra more. Ben (Curtis) was perfect. We asked him to keep her close, not bring her up to the front, and don’t worry about the speed. As soon as she came around the turn, he let her loose and gave her the perfect ride, a clear path the whole way.”

Eric Rizer’s consistent Maryland-bred Slam Notion prevailed in the $125,000 Star de Naskra Stakes for trainer Rob Bailes under drizzly conditions. The 3-year-old Great Notion gelding won for the fourth time in eight starts, all but one of which have come on dirt. Saturday’s race was at 7 dirt furlongs. J.G. Torrealba was in the irons and rode for the seventh straight time.

Saxton and Re Markably traded leads through the first three parts of the race before Slam Motion took control at the top of the stretch, opened up and won by two lengths in 1:21.44. Barbadian Runner took second and Re Markably was third.  

“J.G. gave him a great ride, said Bailes. “We asked him to be close on the outside and keep him clear, keep him subtle. J.G. followed through and did what he was supposed to do. He didn’t get the greatest trip last time out on Preakness day but everything worked out today.”

“We knew we had a tough horse coming into the race,” said Rizer, who bred the horse with his wife Nancy. “He was really, really sharp and very relaxed. J.G. gave us a beautiful ride. He knew Sheldon (Russell) was going to slow things down on the front with Saxton which left us a lot of horse at the end. Slam Motion doesn’t waste anything in the paddock or in the barn and just saves it for the right moment. He has such a kind, easy manner.” 

Thoroughbred horse trainer Woodberry Payne’s lifelong interest in steeplechase racing — as a trainer initially — led him to switch gears 17 years ago and attend stewards school at the request of the National Steeplechase Association (NSA). He embraced the coursework, got certified and from that point, gave up training jumpers and became a racing official instead. That’s why he is so excited about this Thursday’s (July 10) opening week card at Colonial Downs — which features a trio of jump races beginning at 10:45 AM. Purses range from between $40,000 – $60,000 and all the races will be available to wager at the track and via simulcast.

“The purse structure is top level especially with maiden races at a $60,000 level,” he said. “The first three races all filled and the maidens overfilled. It has created interest and enthusiasm. Combine that with the great stakes program for fillies and it fills a certain spot in the market that Colonial holds uniquely, just like the Turf Festival that includes the Arlington Million and the spring Virginia Derby card.”

As the summer thoroughbred meet in New Kent continues, six other Thursday jump days are scheduled. In all, there will be 18 NSA races over jumps, one flat race featuring jumpers — which was very popular last year — and a pair of $100,000 steeplechase stakes for fillies & mares.

“We’ve got a great program going,” said Payne. “We’re complementing the Saratoga program which has six races and meshes together with ours nicely to create a very productive summer. The Colonial races now provide a near year-round steeplechase program in Virginia. Previously, a trainer had a hard time making it work because things shut down over summer.”

This time of year, Payne’s schedule can get quite hectic. In addition to running his 80-horse Ingleside Training Center in Montpelier Station — where many of his New York & New Jersey clients ship babies in to become Virginia-Certified — he has a 12-horse stable at Rosie’s Gaming and Colonial Downs, travels to Saratoga to work their Wednesday jump race, then takes a flight back to Richmond in time for Colonial’s Thursday morning jump races.

“It keeps my itinerary full,” he said. “I feel like I live in a triangle sometimes between the farm — which is a 90-minute drive from Colonial, the track itself in New Kent, then Saratoga. I make a living by training flat horses. The Virginia Certified residency program has benefitted us all. I’m getting calls from New York clients to run their horses here now. But I have a love of jumpers too — I’ve been around them in some form my whole life. They are two different worlds but I’m equally attached to both.”

Payne is optimistic about the way jump racing has rebounded from Covid. “It certainly was a terrible setback to the program,” he noted. “Funding from hunt meets comes from attendance and corporate sponsorship and that has made a nice comeback. The crowds are back. It was refreshing to see the Gold Cup return to where they used to be this past May with thousands of fans in attendance.”

Meet new Colonial Downs Seasonal Dirt Track Superintendent Roy Smith — who was coaxed of retirement after he and his wife relocated to Providence Forge, VA — of all places ironically — from Indiana. Yes, that Providence Forge which is just four miles down the road from Colonial Downs. “The world works in strange ways,” Smith said.

Smith, whose father was a trainer, was born in Massachusetts but didn’t want to train horses. After befriending the track superintendent at Suffolk Downs, Smith was hired as his assistant and after he passed, took over that job. Three years later, he took the track superintendent’s job at Philadelphia Park where he spent 31 years, then finished his career at Indiana Grand for the final ten.

“I’ve been blessed my whole life just to be in this industry, 46 or 47 years now,” he said. “My wife and I often vacationed in Williamsburg and always enjoyed it so when it came time to retire, we looked for a place there and other neighboring areas but always got outbid. This went on for 1 1/2 years. My wife finally saw this property in Providence Forge, came out, looked at and bought it. We moved in late February and someone told Frank Hopf (Colonial Downs Sr. Director of Racing Operations) I was here. He ended up calling me three weeks later. News travels fast,” he added.

“After Frank Hopf called and offered me the job, I no sooner hung up the phone and my wife said ‘take the job, take the job’ — she didn’t care if I went back to work. I missed it in retirement and am glad to be here.”

Smith’s mentor was Joe King who built Indiana Grand and together with John Passero, built Colonial in the mid 90’s. “It feels good to be here,” he said. “Anytime I got an opportunity, I’d visit a track including this one. Both track surfaces here are great. It’s a gorgeous place and a beautiful plant.”

The 10-week, 41-day summer season in New Kent begins July 9 and continues thru September 13. Post time every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday is at 12:30 PM with Friday’s twilight cards beginning at 4 PM. A number of Thursday programs will be preceded by three steeplechase races at 10:45 AM — which will now feature pari-mutuel wagering.

Colonial Downs opened its barn area Monday June 23 in advance of a highly anticipated 41-day thoroughbred racing season — the longest in years — that runs from July 9 – September 13. Training began on June 25 and will continue seven days a week from 5:30 – 9:30 AM.

Fans will have an opportunity to enjoy morning workouts on Saturday July 26 when the second annual “Sunrise at Colonial Downs” takes place in conjunction with the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) fundraiser. Festivities get underway at 7 AM and complimentary coffee and donuts will be served.

Here are scenes from the first training day:

The Colonial Downs stable area opened June 23rd and training will begin two days later on Wednesday June 25 as preparations continue for a ten-week thoroughbred meet in New Kent — the longest in years — which begins July 9 and continues thru September 13. A four-day race week will be in place this meet with cards scheduled every Wednesday thru Saturday at 12:30 except Fridays when a twilight program begins at 4 PM. Steeplechase races will be sprinkled in on seven different Thursdays beginning at 10:45 AM — on July 10, 17 & 31, August 7 & 21, and September 4 & 11. A trio of jump events will be carded before the flat portion begins at 12:30 PM. On-track wagering will be offered on the steeplechase events.     

Given the length of the meet, attractive daily purse offering, enhanced $5.8 million stakes schedule, and a reinvigorated partnership with neighboring Maryland, the barn area is expected to be full. Mike Trombetta, 2024’s leading trainer, and Ben Curtis, last year’s top jockey, are returning to defend their respective titles where they will face a mix of returning conditioners and jockeys as well as plenty of new faces.  

A new $1.9 million dormitory will debut which provides additional space for grooms — which in turn has helped attract more trainers. Additional investments were made in turf course irrigation equipment, plus 5,000 cubic yards of material were applied to the dirt track. Colonial also hired Ron Smith, who has 50 years of experience working on tracks, to serve as a seasonal dirt track superintendent to complement Director of Track Operations Leif Dickenson.

From a racing standpoint, a minimum of eight races are expected to be carded on weekdays and a minimum of nine on Saturdays. Stakes races will be carded every Saturday during the meet including six total for Maryland/Virginia-bred/sired horses at $125,000 each, six $100,000 stakes/handicaps for Virginia-restricted horses, and four $125,000 stakes for Virginia-bred/sired horses.  Any weather-related cancellations will be made up on Sunday afternoon of that same week.      

The Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA) is riding a wave of momentum as the state’s horse racing scene continues to grow, triggered by the success of Historical Horse Racing wagering handle at seven different Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums spread across the Commonwealth. That success has led to 44 days of racing at Colonial Downs in 2025, up from 27 race days a year ago — including a new 3-day meet in March highlighted by the running of the Virginia Derby and Oaks as new qualifying races for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks.  A $5.8 million summer stakes calendar and record purse distribution of $27 million highlight the summer campaign.

The VTA’s incentive programs are growing in conjunction with purses and handle, and now is an ideal time for breeders, owners and trainers to discover the benefits of these initiatives. Whether it’s the Virginia-Bred, Virginia-Certified or Virginia-Sired program, potential bonus monies await. 

The Virginia-Bred program offers rewards to breeders, developers and owners of registered thoroughbreds foaled in Virginia. Breeders earn bonuses for finishing first, second or third in any open race in North America, outside of state-bred and state-sired races. Breeders’ bonuses are earned for any top three finish at Colonial Downs and at NSA sanctioned meets. In 2024, bonus payouts turned out to be 36% of purses earned making this program’s return on investment the only one of its kind in the country. In order to qualify, the foal’s dam must reside in Virginia from September 1st of the year of conception until foaling the following year.    

Amy Moore is a commercial breeder based in Northern Virginia and is a VTA past president. “Being a commercial breeder, I sell most of the foals I produce as weanlings or yearlings, and they might go anywhere to race.  Lots of Virginia-breds run in New York or the mid-Atlantic, where they are eligible for purse enhancements, lucrative restricted races, and bonus money.  But if my Virginia-bred foals run well against open company in Florida, or Kentucky, or California, or even in Canada, I earn breeder’s incentive awards there as well.”  

“Many breeders’ programs offer incentives for state-bred horses to run in their home state against other state-bred horses,” added Moore. “Virginia has some great restricted-race opportunities at Colonial Downs, but it also rewards breeders who produce horses that can compete against anyone, anywhere.  The national reach of Virginia’s program is a real benefit to Virginia breeders.”

Virginia-bred awards also extend to the developer and owner as well. The developer, who is the owner of the horse when it makes its first lifetime start, earns up to a 25% bonus for open race wins in six states — New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia — including NSA sanctioned meets in the Mid-Atlantic. Developer awards are not earned for out-of-state wins during Colonial’s meet and only for open race wins at Colonial Downs.

Owners of Virginia-breds earn a 50% bonus on 1st thru 4th place winnings in open races at the New Kent track. At Colonial Downs, Virginia-bred horses are also eligible to compete in Virginia-Restricted 2-Year-Old Stakes, Virgnia-Restricted Handicaps, Virginia-Bred/Sired Stakes and Maryland/Virginia-Bred/Sired Stakes— courtesy of a new slate of events to be contested at both Colonial and in Maryland. In addition, Virginia-restricted overnight purses are 25% higher than open race purses (at Colonial).   

“Virginia’s award pool is large, and growing,” said Moore. “Breeding thoroughbreds is expensive, and that bonus money certainly helps to pay the bills. I love the flexibility of Virginia’s incentive program.  There is no breed-back rule and no requirement to breed your mare to a regional stallion. If you buy a mare at public auction, she can qualify for the program if you bring her to Virginia within 15 days.  I bought a nice mare at the Fasig-Tipton sale last November and brought her to Virginia, and she foaled a Virginia-bred Flightline colt this spring.  I am excited to see what he can do in a few years’ time!”

The formation of Virginia’s Certified-Residency program back in 2016 helped stabilize the native industry after Colonial Downs’ initial owner surrendered the track’s racing license in early 2015. From 2016 – 2023, over $16 million in bonus monies have been distributed to graduates of the residency program. In order to qualify, horses must reside at a Virginia registered farm for at least six consecutive months before December 31st of their two-year-old year. Developers then earn up to a 25% bonus for any open race win in the states noted in the Breeder’s section above, and a 10% bonus for state-bred restricted races in those same states, with the exception of Virginia.

“It’s an interesting program because Virginia is a great place to raise young horses,” said Wayne Chatfield-Taylor who along with his wife Susie, have owned Morgan’s Ford Farm in Front Royal, VA since 1979. “The way to qualify a baby for the program is to get them here (to Virginia) early for the minimum six month stay but even afterwards, they have to be boarded somewhere, so why not stay here. Virginia has a nice environment, has four seasons and has really good pasture. Developers will get bonus money once the horse starts racing and the horses will reap the benefits of good farmland. It’s a win-win.”     

Owners should note that Virginia-Certified horses are eligible to compete in Virginia-Restricted races at Colonial — with Virginia-Bred & Virginia-Sired horses. The Virginia-Restricted summer lineup includes two $100,000 freshmen stakes and four $100,000 Handicap races. 

The Virginia-Sired program is open to thoroughbreds conceived in Virginia, sired by a Virginia-registered stallion, and foaled out of state. Developer bonuses mirror those noted in the Breeders and Certified program sections. Owners earn a 50% bonus on 1^st thru 4^th purses in open races at Colonial and experience the same overnight and stakes purse bumps as noted in the Breeders section.

“The VTA is excited to see this kind of growth and momentum in the industry as challenges arise across the nation,” said VTA President Turner Kobayashi. “The Certified program and the Owner and Breeder purse bonus awards have attracted more mares producing more foals and more horses racing in the state and locally.  We hosted the Virginia Derby in March this year as a prep race for the Kentucky Derby.  We continue to look at ways to innovate and improve to attract more owners, breeders and fans to experience the thrill that thoroughbred horse racing brings.”

The Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA) has announced that Jill Byrne will take over as the organization’s Executive Director. Debbie Easter will remain an integral part of the VTA but will now focus more time and energy on a wider range of industry initiatives with the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) of which she is President. Byrne will also continue to serve in her existing role as Vice-President of Marketing & Strategic Planning for the VEA.  

Byrne is a Virginia native and graduate of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and has come full circle in a sense. After spending several decades in various roles around the country — as on-air host and handicapper with TVG, Senior Director of Industry Relations with the Breeders’ Cup and Director of Broadcast Operations with Churchill Downs, she returned to Virginia to serve as VP of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs during the 2019 “Racing Revival” season and remained in that capacity for three more years before joining the VEA in 2023. With her combined VEA and VTA responsibilities, Byrne is once again based in Charlottesville where she works and resides. 

“I look forward to continue to represent the Virginia horsemen and women, and work with all stakeholders as our racing and breeding programs in the state are growing and prospering,” said Byrne. “Virginia has a renowned history in the thoroughbred industry and our future is brighter than ever.” 

“Our Virginia Equine Alliance team has accomplished so much over the last 7 years, but we need to continue to keep our foot on the gas if we are going to see continued growth for our Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries,” added Easter. ” Jill has done a fantastic job heading up marketing for the VEA and I am so pleased that she is willing to also take on a roll with the VTA. With her marketing knowledge and passion for Virginia’s Thoroughbred industry, the VTA will be in very good hands.  This move will allow me to enhance my role as President of the Virginia Equine Alliance.  I can work even closer with Jeb Hannum (VEA Executive Director) to concentrate on the larger industry initiatives that will keep us moving forward into the future.”

“I’m pleased that Jill Byrne is taking on an even larger role in Virginia racing,” said Turner Kobayashi, VTA President and General Manager of Audley Farm Equine in Berryville. “She has tremendous experience and has been a major player for a long time. Her new role allows Debbie (Easter) to help in other important areas. They are both great leaders and we are lucky to have both these talented professionals to lead us into the future.”    

The Virginia Thoroughbred Association was organized in 1941 to cultivate the development of the Commonwealth’s heritage as a producer of quality Thoroughbred horses. Today, more than 80 years later, the VTA boasts a membership base of about 700 members and is responsible for implementing a number of successful bonus programs including the Virginia Breeders Fund and the Virginia Certified Residency program — which was instrumental in keeping the native industry not just afloat, but vibrant, after Colonial Downs initially ceased thoroughbred operations after the 2013 season.

The Certified Residency program, which started in 2017, requires horses to spend at least six consecutive months at a registered Virginia farm or training center before they turn three years of age. Since the program began, a total of 5,031 horses have participated and on average, each horse has stayed eight months in Virginia. Between 2018 and 2023, the program paid out a total of $14.6 million in bonuses and has had a total economic impact of $86.2 million, supporting 825 jobs in the Commonwealth.

The VEA is a non-profit, 501(c)6 organization which is comprised of the Virginia Harness Horse Association (VHHA), the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, the Virginia Gold Cup Association and the VTA. The purpose of the VEA is to sustain, promote and expand the horse breeding and horse racing industries in Virginia. The VEA represents the interests of horsemen at meetings of the Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Department of Agriculture, the Virginia Racing Commission along with other racing, horsemen and breeder associations.     

                                                                                                                  -30-

~ High-profile trainers Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Lukas, and Ken McPeek all enter horses in historic Kentucky Derby qualifying race this Saturday, March 15 at Colonial Downs; Multiple Triple Crown race winning jockeys to ride this weekend ~

The race fields for the historic 2025 Virginia Derby and 2025 Virginia Oaks will feature a slate of promising young horses, including one born right here in Virginia, and legendary race teams, trainers, and jockeys with multiple Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown victories on their resumes.

“Racing’s legends and rising stars will be continuing their journey on The Road to the Kentucky Derby right here at Colonial Downs this Saturday,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations for Colonial Downs. “The 2025 Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks will feature worldclass horses trained and jockeyed by some of the absolute best in the business. This is sure to be an exciting and historic day in Virginia racing!”

Fewer than 500 General Admission tickets remain at the fan-friendly price of just $5, while all reserved seats are sold out.

The 2025 Virginia Derby will, for the first time ever, serve as a qualifying race on The Road to the Kentucky Derby with the winning horse securing a spot in the 151^st Kentucky Derby.

The 2025 Virginia Derby will feature world-class three-year old horses including:

• Early favorite Getaway Car trained by two-time Triple Crown winning and six-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert.
• American Promise, son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify trained by four-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas
• Render Judgement featuring the trainer/jockey combination of Ken McPeek and Brian Hernandez, Jr. who won the 2024 Kentucky Derby with Mystik Dan and 2024 Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna
• Omaha Omaha—this promising horse was born at Chance Farm in Gordonsville, Virginia and will be running his first race in his home state
• John Hancock ridden by Mike Smith who won the 2018 Triple Crown aboard Justify and has won a total of seven Triple Crown races in his career

The full Virginia Derby field with odds as of Saturday, March 8 is:

1.          Calling Card (Luan Machado, Mike Maker, 15-1)

2.         John Hancock (Mike Smith, Brad Cox, 3-1)

3.         American Promise (Nik Juarez, D. Wayne Lukas, 12-1)

4.         Omaha Omaha (Raul Mena, Michael Gorham, 10-1)

5.         Studlydoright (Xavier Perez, John Robb, 15-1)

6.         Getaway Car (Irad Ortiz, Jr., Bob Baffert, 9-5)

7.         Rapture (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox, 5-1)

8.         Authentic Gallop (Javier Castellano, Tom Amoss, 10-1)

9.         Render Judgement (Brian Hernandez, Jr., Ken McPeek, 12-1)

10.       Georgia Magic (Sheldon Russell, Ray Handal, 30-1)

(Jockey, Trainer, Odds)

The 2025 Virginia Oaks will feature a field of eight promising three-year old fillies seeking qualification for the 2025 Kentucky Oaks. These include:

• Gowells Delight and Anonima both trained by 2024 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks winning trainer Ken McPeek. Gowells Delight will be ridden by Brian Hernandez, Jr. who won the 2024 Kentucky Derby aboard Mystik Dan and the 2024 Kentucky Oaks riding Thorpedo Anna
• Low Key ridden by Mike Smith who won the 2018 Triple Crown aboard Justify and has won a total of seven Triple Crown races in his career
• Icona Mama ridden by three-time Kentucky Derby winner John Velazquez
• You’ll Be Back ridden by four-time Triple Crown race winning jockey Javier Castellano

The full Virginia Oaks field with odds as of Saturday, March 8 is:

1.          Icona Mama (John Velazquez, Flint Stites, 8-1)

2.         Low Key (Mike Smith, Tom Amoss, 10-1)

3.         Gowells Delight (Brian Hernandez, Jr., Ken McPeek, 3-1)

4.         Anonima (Colby Hernandez, Ken McPeek, 6-1)

5.         Early On (Flavien Prat, Saffie Joseph, Jr., 8-1)

6.         You’ll Be Back (Javier Castellano, Tom Amoss, 9-2)

7.         Girl Math (Luan Machado, Rodolphe Brisset, 5-1)

8.         Fondly (Irad Ortiz, Jr., Graham Motion, 7-2)

(Jockey, Trainer, Odds)

This special weekend of spring racing at Colonial Downs begins on Thursday, March 13 with a post time of 12:30pm, continues on Friday, March 14 with races beginning at 12:30pm, and culminates with Virginia Derby Day on Saturday, March 15 with the day’s first race beginning at noon. Derby Day will feature a 10-race card including the Virginia Oaks (Race 8) and Virginia Derby (Race 9.)

For tickets or more information about the 2025 Virginia Derby, please visit www.colonialdowns.com.

Colonial Downs will offer an extensive wagering menu for Virginia Derby
weekend, highlighted by two daily 50-cent Pick 5 wagers each with a fan-friendly 12% takeout.

Thursday and Friday’s eight-race cards will feature Pick 5s beginning in Races 1 and 4. Saturday’s Virginia Derby card will include two Pick 5s, starting in Races 1 and 6. If no winning tickets correctly select all five winners in the sequence, the pool will carryover to the next day’s late Pick 5 sequence. There will be a mandatory payout in all Pick 5 pools on Saturday.

The wagering lineup also includes the $1 Old Dominion 6, a traditional non-jackpot bet, covering the final six races each day with a low 15% takeout. Thursday and Friday will feature two 50-cent Pick 4 wagers (starting in races 2 and 5), while Saturday will offer three (beginning in races 2, 4, and 7).

Saturday’s 10-race program is headlined by the $500,000 Virginia Derby and $250,000 Virginia Oaks, Championship Series contests on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Woodford Reserve, and Road to the Longines Kentucky Oaks, respectively. Friday’s action includes the $150,000 Boston Handicap and $150,000 Stellar Wind Handicap, both restricted to Virginia-bred, -sired or -certified horses.

Colonial Downs will offer lucrative purses for the undercard races all weekend, with open-company Maiden Special Weight races carrying a $75,000 purse and Virginia-bred Maiden Special Weight races worth $93,750. Open-company allowance races will range from $80,000 to $85,000, while Virginia-bred allowance races will offer a purse of $100,000.

Fans can catch the action live on FanDuel TV, who will broadcast on-site all weekend, or via the Colonial Downs simulcast feed. Horseplayers can wager on all the action from Virginia Derby weekend at www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby. TwinSpires will offer special
promotions for betting on races from Colonial Downs and a qualifier for the $250,000 Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge featuring races from both Colonial and Oaklawn.
For the latest information about the Virginia Derby, visit https://rosiesgaming.com/virginia-derby/